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Welsh Super Series Kicked Off in Style in Llanelli Sunshine

Published: 16th May 2018

The Healthy Life Activities Llanelli Multisport Weekend kicked off the inaugural Welsh Super Series in some style last weekend and showcased all that is good about Multi-Sport.

With rumours of some aspects of the weekend being in jeopardy after differing reports regarding Water Safety, event organisers ‘Healthy Life Activities’ pulled out all the stops with assistance from NRW, Carmarthenshire Council and Welsh Triathlon to ensure that a quality event was delivered. The scorching sunshine across the weekend reflected the quality of the delivery, in a weekend where over 1000 participants ranging from 8 years of age to over 70 took part.

The appetiser of the Sospan Swim on Friday evening saw over 200 swimmers brave the newly filled North Dock over distances ranging from 750m to 3000m raising over £2000 for the Diabetes Care for Children at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen. Saturday was all about the children, with stage 3 of Welsh Triathlon’s Tristar Series taking place as over 200 children from far and wide took part in the first Duathlon of the season. This would have been a first event for many of the local participants, which also saw some of Wales’ most talented youngsters go head to head. Had they stayed around, they would have witnessed the British Elite Youth and Junior Races, the second stage of the British Super Series and a standard some of the mornings’ earlier participants would be aspiring to achieve. Over 200 of Britain’s best 15 to 19-year olds took to the road in a feast of racing, with the Welsh contingent doing themselves proud. Saturday was topped off with the Para-Athletes showcasing their talent, courage and determination in a awe-inspiring display of racing. With the Cameras of Dream Team TV (DDTV) at Llanelli all weekend, they would have been hard-pressed to witness a wider range of ages and abilities at one event.

With all eyes on the Welsh Super Series on Sunday, the competitors set off to glorious sunshine. A fast opening Swim from Morgan Davies, Alex Matchett and Kieran John saw a quick pace set, and the leading group were quickly joined by Chris Silver, Nathan Ford, Olly Simon, Josh Lewis and Luke Pollard on the bike leg. It was Pollard who returned to T2 first with a sub 40minute bike leg, but a foot issue slowed his progress and was soon overtaken before heading out for the run. It was Alex Matchett who took the first stage within the Men’s Category, followed closely by Team Wales Gold Coast member Chris Silver and Kona Qualifier Nathan Ford in third.

The names within the female category may not have been as recognisable as the males, but they too provided some excellent racing. Pembrokeshire Triathlon Clubs’ Catherine Marks and Team Crancs’ Emma Palfrey crossing only 4 seconds apart in first and second after completing the course, with Eden Schiller, who had also competed a day earlier within the youth race crossing five minutes behind in third. Eden was swiftly followed by Shona Bennett and Pembrokeshire’s Sian Williams, who also won the F40 category in fourth and fifth respectively.

With the individual points awarded to each competitor relative to their finishing times, only 10 points separate the top 7 female athletes after stage 1, whilst only 15 points separate the Male top 12.

Within the club competition of the series, more info can be found here, individuals were awarded points for the finishing positions within their age categories, with the club’s top 5 best scores accumulated. At the end of stage 1, Celtic Tri lead the table with 97.07 points, followed by both Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club and Cardiff Triathlon Club, who are both tied in second place with 94.9 points respectively.

Welsh Triathlon Events Officer Gareth Evans stated that “This weekend has shown all that is great about this sport. The standard of racing within the super series today is exactly what this platform deserves. The event also allows first time triathletes to take to the course with commonwealth games representatives. Combine today with the range of ages and abilities from yesterday and it truly does show how inclusive and accessible this sport is”.

Noelwyn Daniels of Healthy Life Activities was delighted with how the weekend went. “The Llanelli Multisport Festival provides athletes of all ages and abilities with a superb platform to perform. We pride ourselves on facilitating inclusive and professional races that everyone can enjoy. With over 1000 participants this weekend, raising thousands for local charities and community groups, this was a great celebration of Welsh Triathlon, sportsmanship and plenty of Welsh Hwyl”.

Stage 2 of the Welsh Super Series takes place down at Broadhaven at the Pembrokeshire Coastal Triathlon, which also doubles up as Welsh Triathlons’ National Championships. Details of the event, and how to enter can be found here.

Highlights of the weekends activities at Llanelli will be aired on S4C on Friday evening, 18th May at 9.30pm, and can also be watched back on BBC iPlayer. Welsh Triathlon would like to thank Noelwyn Daniels and the crew at Healthy Like Activities for their tireless work over the weekend to ensure a quality event.

Notable Results from stage 1 are below. Complete table of results can be found following the links below.

All individuals highlighted green are eligible for Super Series points as they are verified Welsh Triathlon / British Triathlon / Home Nations Members.

All race entries were sent to BTF HQ in Loughborough for verification prior to the event. If you are a member but are not highlighted, please contact Gareth Evansat Welsh Triathlon by emailing here,with a photographic copy of your membership card. Discrepancies may have occurred if you entered your details differently on the race entry portal to your membership application. This will not affect any points. All Participants have been awarded points regardless of their membership, only those with valid memberships have been /will be included throughout the series. You do not have to be a WT/BTF/HN member to contribute to your club score, but your club must be a Welsh Triathlon affiliated club prior to the event taking place. Non-Affiliated clubs may affiliate prior to any future event in the series. If you did not include your club name correctly on the entry portal, these results will not be reviewed or included retrospectively. If you have any concerns regarding future races, please contact each event organiser to confirm your details, not Welsh Triathlon.